Viola Davis receives Chairman’s Prize at NAACP Image Awards

LOS ANGELES (AP):

Viola Davis delivered a powerful speech about self-worth, resilience and collective progress on the 57th NAACP Image Awards stage Saturday night, telling the audience that personal and national growth require confronting truth and hardship.

“There is no becoming without healing and without a radical acceptance of one’s truth,” Davis said after receiving the NAACP’s Chairman’s Award at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium near Los Angeles. “We either move forward together or not at all.”

The Oscar, Emmy, Tony and Grammy winner reflected on her journey from childhood poverty in Rhode Island to international success, saying, “I just wanted to be somebody. I wanted success because I thought it was significance.”

Davis, 60, has earned widespread acclaim for performances in films including The Help, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom and Doubt, while also captivating television audiences in the legal drama How to Get Away With Murder. She achieved EGOT status after winning a Grammy for the audiobook version of her memoir, Finding Me, adding to two Tonys, an Emmy and an Academy Award for the film adaptation of Fences.

“No one can describe the journey of going from the little chocolate girl searching for hope,” Davis said, “to the girl living a transcendent life.”

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR

Michael B. Jordan capped off the night as the winner of Entertainer of the Year after also taking home Best Actor for his dual performance as twin brothers in the film Sinners.

Jordan beat out nominees Cynthia Erivo, Doechii, Kendrick Lamar and Teyana Taylor for the top honour. Last year’s entertainer of the year winner was Keke Palmer.

During his acceptance speech, Jordan became emotional while acknowledging late actor Chadwick Boseman, his friend and Black Panther co-star.

“My best friend, Chad … I miss you every day,” Jordan said.

He also thanked his family and community, encouraging those watching from his hometown of Newark, New Jersey, to pursue their goals with humility and compassion.

NAACP HALL OF FAME

Hip-hop trailblazers Salt-N-Pepa were inducted into the NAACP Image Awards Hall of Fame, recognised for their groundbreaking impact on music, culture and the representation of women in rap.

The Grammy-winning group – Cheryl ‘Salt’ James, Sandra ‘Pepa’ Denton and DJ Spinderella – rose to prominence in the late 1980s and 1990s with hits including Push It, Shoop and Whatta Man, helping bring female voices to the forefront of hip-hop while shaping conversations around confidence, relationships and self-expression.

Accepting the honour, the trio reflected on their legacy and influence across generations of artistes.

“We didn’t know we were building a movement,” said Spinderella, the stage name of Deidra Muriel Roper. “We were just being ourselves.”

COLMAN DOMINGO HONOURED WITH PRESIDENT’S AWARD

Colman Domingo received the President’s Award, which recognises individuals who use their platform to advance social justice and public service, joining past honorees including Jay-Z, Lauryn Hill, Usher, Rihanna and John Legend.

Domingo reflected on the people who shaped his path, including his mother and stepfather, and emphasised the importance of community support and purpose.

“You don’t get here alone,” Domingo said.

REVEREND JESSE JACKSON REMEMBERED

The ceremony also honoured Reverend Jesse Jackson and his decades of activism and influence on American politics, culture and social justice movements.

Actor Samuel L. Jackson delivered a heartfelt tribute recognising the legacy of the civil rights leader, who died February 17 at age 84.